How To Get The Most For Your Hard Work: 8 Career Tips

They call it needs to go to push for a reason. It doesn’t be expected to be miserable, but no one loves every minute of every day on the job. Sometimes work is hard.

What follows are some tips to help you make the most of your career:

1. Love your job. If you don’t love it, like it. If you don’t like it, pretend. If your boss believes you like your work, she’ll treat you better by offering you more and better assignments. Greater responsibility and—here’s the key, —more money.

2. Work hard. Working hard is a grand American tradition. Own it. Show up on time. Don’t dawdle. Don’t chit-chat the day away. Stay on task. Do your best. Your boss will notice. It will matter. Bosses love, love, like to see people working hard.

3. Want your boss a break. Let’s all understand each other; virtually no loss is never as smart as the people who work for him. He can’t be up as well as you. Whatever is set in that position, it wasn’t his ability to do your job; it was his ability to do his job. Cut him some slack. Like to thank him for constructive feedback. Greet him with a smile in the morning. Say “good-bye” on your way out. The more you demonstrate care and concern for him and his career, the more he’ll care for you and yours.

4. Show up. It’s often said that just being displayed is half the battle. It really is. Show up on time. Stay for your entire shift. Don’t be waiting at the door when the shift bell rings. Get your day’s work done, tidy up your work area, and leave knowing your place in a full day’s work.

5. Be honest. Never is lying to get a job. Don’t lie on the job. Every job requires trust; there is no faster way to do away with the respect of your boss than to lie to her. She’ll know immediately or need to figure out soon enough.

6. Be scrupulous with company assets. Take good care of, protect, watch over and guard company assets. Don’t treat the supply cabinet like your personal office supply store. Use caution when walking the company dime; spend less than you’re allowed. You’ll earn points with your boss when you demonstrate as much concern for the company’s resources as you show for your own. The rise you get will buy you plenty of paper clips.

7. Treat colleagues and subordinates well. Be true of a well-deserved reputation for treating your colleagues and subordinates with respect. Never lose your temper. Listen more than you talk. Really listen (just being quiet while you strategies your response to whatever they say isn’t listening). There is power in earning the respect of your colleagues. And there is not any substitute.

8. Be patient. Your career will go on for 30 to 40 years; don’t expect to get three promotions every year. Enjoy the journey.

Being an outstanding employee, whether you work on the production line or in the corporate office is the surest way to get a job after the next round of layoffs or to get a raise that’s more than the cost of living.